Grand jury to hear case against Tennessee woman who shot homeless man

Katie Quackenbush, charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a homeless man on Nashville's Music Row in August 2017. PHOTO: Metro Nashville Police

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) -- A 26-year-old Tennessee woman's case will go before a grand jury for the shooting of a homeless man in Nashville's Music Row.

Katie Quackenbush was arrested on an attempted murder charge for the August 2017 shooting of 54-year-old Gerald Melton. According to police, Melton --who is homeless, was trying to sleep on a 19th Avenue sidewalk when he became disturbed by exhaust fumes and loud music coming from Quackenbush's Porsche SUV.

Melton asked Quackenbush to move the SUV, leading to an argument. After Melton went back to his sleeping spot, Quackenbush exited her vehicle with a weapon and shot Melton twice, leaving him with a critical abdomen wound.

Police say Quackenbush then fled the scene. After her arrest, Quackenbush told police a different version of events. She says she shot Melton in self-defense after he threatened to kill her.

According to her father Jesse, a Texas attorney, Melton threatened to kill her if she didn't turn her music down. Her father added she exited the vehicle with a weapon to walk her friend to her car.

"My daughter told him 'I have a gun. Get the F away from me'," Jesse Quackenbush said. "She pulled off one round as a means of warning, not intending to hit him or kill him. She thought she pointed far enough away from him to just scare him away, and he kept coming and she shot another round."

Melton was treated for his wound and upgraded to stable condition after the shooting.